Huayu: Starting from joining the mainstream entertainment industry in 96

Chapter 134, Section 133: Paying Homage to the Mountain Stronghold
In June, the heat in Beijing gradually intensifies.

Another few days passed.

The "Rainbow Cat and Blue Rabbit 3000 Questions" science animation project team quickly set up the framework.

The project team was located in a spacious, unused office on the first floor of the main building of Beijing Film Studio.

Wang Sheng also serves as the project director, overseeing the overall direction and resource allocation.

The executive vice director is Cao Zhiming, a senior professor of animation at the Beijing Film Academy's Department of Fine Arts.

Professor Cao is nearly fifty years old. His hair is neatly combed, and he wears black-rimmed glasses, exuding an academic air. But when he talks about animation production, his eyes light up.

He deeply agrees with Wang Sheng's idea of ​​"training future film special effects talents through popular science animation," believing that this is an excellent opportunity for the animation profession to serve society and expand its frontiers.

The team mainly consists of teachers and students from the animation major at Beijing Film Academy.

Several young lecturers served as group leaders, leading more than 20 selected senior students to engage in pre-production work such as screenwriting, character design, scene design, and storyboarding.

The office was filled with preliminary concept drawings: the witty and brave Rainbow Cat, the clever and playful Blue Rabbit, the imaginative fantasy forest and the futuristic city scene... The creativity and energy of the young people made this nascent project team full of vitality.

Wang Sheng regularly attends project meetings and listens to progress reports.

He did not interfere in every detail, but focused on two points: first, the rigor of popular science knowledge, requiring the script to be reviewed by relevant experts from the Normal University and the Academy of Sciences; second, the fun and forward-looking nature of animation, encouraging the team to boldly try computer-aided coloring and non-linear editing systems that had just been introduced to China, based on traditional hand-drawing.

……

Time slipped by quietly to Tuesday morning, June 24th.

Wang Sheng was reviewing the detailed budget report for "30 Days" in the general manager's office of Shengying Media when his assistant, Li Tingting, gently knocked on the door and entered.

"Mr. Wang, there is a guest outside from Taiwan, surnamed He, Ms. He Xiuqiong. She says she is the daughter-in-law of Ms. Qiong Yao and wants to visit you." Li Tingting's tone was slightly inquiring.

It's not uncommon for people from Taiwan's film and television industry to visit the Beijing Film Studio, but this is the first time they've come directly to Wang Sheng's place.

Wang Sheng looked up from the report, his eyebrows slightly raised.

He Xiuqiong? Qiong Yao's daughter-in-law?
At this point in time...

A thought flashed through his mind: Could it be that the TV series "Princess Pearl," which later became a hit across the country and even influenced a generation, has entered the substantive preparation stage?

"Invite her in."

Wang Sheng closed the folder and said calmly.

A moment later, Li Tingting led in a well-dressed, exquisitely made-up middle-aged woman who appeared to be in her early thirties.

She carried a rather elegant-looking gift bag and wore a perfectly appropriate smile, which was both polite and dignified.

"Mr. Wang, I've long admired your name. I apologize for the intrusion and for disturbing you," He Xiuqiong said in a slightly soft and gentle Mandarin accent, her tone humble.

"Ms. He, you're too kind. Please have a seat." Wang Sheng stood up to greet her and gestured for her to sit on the sofa. After Li Tingting served tea, she quietly retreated to the side to wait.

He Xiuqiong gently placed the gift bag beside the coffee table and said with a smile, "It's a small amount of oolong tea and high mountain tea from Taiwan. Please accept it, Mr. Wang."

"Ms. He, you're too kind." Wang Sheng smiled slightly, neither refusing nor showing excessive enthusiasm, waiting for her to explain her true purpose. After a few pleasantries, He Xiuqiong got to the point: "Mr. Wang, to be honest, I came to Beijing this time to discuss the adaptation of one of my mother-in-law's works. The script is still being finalized; it's a Qing Dynasty drama, and filming is scheduled to begin soon."

The main purpose of this trip was location scouting, to see places like the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace. For the subsequent official filming, we will undoubtedly need the support of the Beijing Film Studio in terms of venues, equipment, and even some personnel.

She paused, observed Wang Sheng's expression, and continued, "I've often heard people talk about you, Mr. Wang, in Taiwan and Hong Kong. They say you're a leading figure among the younger generation in Beijing's film and television industry, with keen insight and skillful management. Shengying Media and Beijing Film Studio are thriving under your leadership. That's why I've come to pay you a visit, hoping that you can do me a favor during future filming."

Wang Sheng knew immediately that it was indeed "Princess Pearl".

He had mixed feelings about the show. On the one hand, he acknowledged its huge commercial success and phenomenal influence, but on the other hand, he didn't have much affection for its plot logic or some of the character settings.

But he was well aware of the ratings miracle this show would create and its terrifying ability to make actors famous.

"Ms. He, you flatter me. It's just that we were lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time and did some experimentation with our colleagues at the factory."

Wang Sheng said calmly, "A Qing Dynasty drama... that sounds like a big production. I wonder how your production team is doing with preparations? Have the funding and lead actors been secured?"

A barely perceptible hint of wariness flashed in He Xiuqiong's eyes, but her smile remained unchanged: "Thank you for your concern, Mr. Wang. In terms of funding, we mainly cooperate with Hunan TV. They are our most important partner and broadcasting platform, and they have invested the majority of the funds. As for the lead actors... we have currently selected a few young actors, but we are still finalizing the selection."

She specifically mentioned Hunan TV, clearly implying that the project had a solid background and was not lacking in resources and backing, subtly blocking any potential investment intentions from Wang Sheng.

In her view, although Wang Sheng is very powerful, he is still an emerging force in mainland China. Their projects have the backing of Qiong Yao's name and the support of a powerful TV station, so they do not need outside capital to share the pie.

Wang Sheng was extremely astute and immediately understood the hidden meaning in her words.

He chuckled inwardly, thinking that the other party was afraid that he, as a "local bully," would try to force his way in and get involved.

Since the other party had no interest, he couldn't be bothered to try and win them over.

He wasn't particularly interested in investing in the show; he saw it purely as a business opportunity. Since the other party wasn't interested, he gave up on it.

“Cooperating with Hunan TV is indeed very secure,” Wang Sheng nodded, but then changed the subject slightly: “However, Ms. He, since you’re coming to the mainland to film a movie, and it’s such a big production, there’s something I have to say upfront.”

He Xiuqiong sat up straighter: "Please speak, Mr. Wang."

"How you film the movie is your business, but since the crew is in Beijing, on the grounds of the Beijing Film Studio, they have to follow the rules." Wang Sheng's tone remained calm, yet carried an undeniable weight: "Especially when it comes to actors, whether they're from Taiwan or working with mainland actors, they must be treated equally and the contract must be followed. I don't want to hear about any bullying of mainland actors or any other unpleasant incidents. Harmony brings wealth, right?"

He Xiuqiong's expression changed slightly, and she quickly assured him, "Don't worry, Mr. Wang! Absolutely not! Our production team is always professional and respects every collaborator. No matter where the actors are from, we strictly adhere to the contract, and the situation you described will never happen. We also hope to film the movie smoothly."

"That's good." Wang Sheng picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and his intention to see the guest out was quite clear: "I wish your production team a smooth shoot and that your new drama will be a huge success."

He Xiuqiong, being a quick-witted person, immediately stood up, her smile still impeccable: "Thank you for your kind words, Mr. Wang. I won't bother you any longer. I hope you will take good care of me in Beijing in the future."

Wang Sheng also stood up and instructed Li Tingting, who was standing next to him, "Tingting, see Ms. He off for me."

“Ms. He, please.” Li Tingting stepped forward and gestured for her to enter.

He Xiuqiong nodded to Wang Sheng again, picked up her handbag, and followed Li Tingting out of the office.

……

Wang Sheng opened the gift bag box.

Wait, you're actually sending tea leaves?!
(End of this chapter)